Pose & style reference · Camera angles and views
Side profile reference
Also called: side profile drawing, profile view, face in profile, side face
In short
A side profile is the face seen from exactly 90 degrees, so only one eye is visible and the outline runs from the forehead over the nose, lips and chin. It is a strong, graphic angle for portraits and character art, because the profile line itself carries most of the character.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
Why side profiles stand out
Profiles have a long history: coins, cameos and early Renaissance portraits often used them, because a clean outline is instantly recognisable. In illustration and photography a profile feels calm, thoughtful or aloof, since the subject is not looking at the viewer.
Small differences in the line, such as a straight or upturned nose, a soft or square chin, or full or thin lips, change the character quickly, which makes side profile drawing a popular practice exercise.
Profile variations
- Pure profile: exactly 90 degrees, far eye and far eyebrow completely hidden.
- Lost profile: turned slightly past 90 degrees, so the cheek hides most of the nose and eye.
- Profile with chin up: throat line visible, proud or hopeful.
- Profile with chin down: forehead leads, sad or focused.
- Profile with eyes to viewer: head in profile, eye rolled toward the camera.
How to draw a side profile
- Draw a circle for the cranium and attach a jaw that comes down and forward; in profile the head is about as deep as it is tall.
- Mark the brow line, nose base and chin; on an adult the three spaces from hairline to brow, brow to nose base and nose base to chin are roughly equal.
- Place the ear just behind the vertical centre of the head, between the brow line and the nose base, tilted slightly back.
- Set the eye back from the bridge of the nose and draw it as a sideways triangle, not a front-view almond.
- Run the profile line: forehead slopes, dips at the bridge, rises to the nose tip, steps in at the lips and curves out at the chin.
Common mistakes are placing the ear too far forward, drawing the back of the skull too small, and making the jaw end directly under the eye instead of reaching back toward the ear.
How to light and photograph a profile
Turn the subject 90 degrees to the camera and check that the far eyelashes just disappear. A clean, darker background behind the face makes the profile line read sharply; rim light or a window behind the subject outlines the nose and lips.
- Lift the chin slightly to separate it from the neck.
- Push long hair behind the ear or let it fall on the far side to keep the line clear.
- Use an 85–135 mm equivalent lens so the nose is not exaggerated.
FAQ
Where does the ear go in a side profile?
Just behind the middle of the head, with the top near the brow line and the bottom near the base of the nose.
What is a lost profile?
A view turned slightly past profile, so the cheek hides most of the eye and nose and only the outline of the cheek and lashes show.
How do I make a side profile drawing look natural?
Make the skull deep enough, set the eye back from the nose bridge and let the jaw sweep back toward the ear.